By Samantha Goerling, ABC News
Karratha was forecast to be hit with destructive winds and heavy rain as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell passed close to the north overnight. Photo: ABC / Kelsey Reid
- Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is expected to maintain its strength as it tracks along the Pilbara coast today.
- The system is currently a category three and is bringing destructive wind gusts, heavy rain and abnormally high tides.
- The weather bureau is forecasting the cyclone to make landfall between Onslow and Exmouth on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Communities along Western Australia's Pilbara coast are bracing for another day of wild weather, as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell continues to track along the coast.
The cyclone is currently at category three strength, near Dampier.
The SES gave out 2,500 sandbags in the days leading up to the cyclone. Photo: ABC / Kelsey Reid
The cyclone's progress along the coast slowed late on Saturday (local time), leaving Karratha to be hit with recorded wind gusts exceeding 95km/h overnight.
An emergency cyclone warning remains in place, with emergency services and locals yet to fully assess the damage from overnight.
It was a windy night in Dampier as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell passed off the coast. Photo: ABC / Kelsey Reid
Landfall forecast for the Exmouth Gulf
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will continue tracking south-west along the coast past Onslow today.
The Bureau of Meteorology says it will continue at the same intensity, bringing destructive winds, abnormally high tides, heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.
The bureau is forecasting the cyclone will make landfall between Exmouth and Onslow overnight.
An evacuation centre has opened at the Shire of Exmouth Hall.
There are also evacuation centres open in Karratha and Onslow.
Glass doors taped up in Exmouth in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Mitchell. Photo: ABC / Macey Turner
The bureau said the system had slowed compared to earlier forecasts.
Senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said this would have mixed implications.
"The period when you might see the heavy rainfall, the period when you might see the gale force winds and damaging wind gusts, might be slightly longer than originally anticipated," she said.
A truck of supplies arrives in Onslow ahead of the cyclone. Photo: ABC / Mietta Adams
"However, there is some good news in it; we are expecting to see the next high tide at Onslow around 3pm. Previous forecasts had that system moving close by, close to that high-tide mark.
"With the slowing of the system, we now should see that system moving close by some hours after that high tide …. [so] that coastal inundation is not going to be as high as initially expected."
Rachel Wells says they have done everything they can to prepare for the cyclone. Photo: ABC / Macey Turner
Residents bunker down
Residents in the much-loved tourist town of Exmouth are bunkering down, with destructive winds, heavy rainfall and high tides forecast.
While it is the low season for tourism, Ningaloo Caravan Park manager Rachel Wells said there were still many guests who sought more secure accommodation.
Sandbags are available at the Exmouth SES. Photo: ABC / Macey Turner
"We had around 90 campervans, rooftops. Most of them decided it would be better to go to a safe place," she said.
"Some of them have gone into chalets ... I think everyone is now in a good place.
"We just have to trust we are safe, and we have done everything we can to be safe."
The calm before Cyclone Mitchell approaches Exmouth later today. Photo: ABC / Robert Koenigluck
Engine room standstill
The Pilbara is often referred to as the "engine room" of the Australian economy, with large quantities of resources extracted and exported from the region.
Several mining companies evacuated staff ahead of Cyclone Mitchell.
Pilbara Ports shut the ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island ahead of the cyclone's approach.
The Port of Port Hedland has reopened this morning.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is expected to pass Onslow later today. Photo: ABC / Alistair Bates
- ABC News
